Shrimp Bacon Carbonara

Have you ever made shrimp scampi and been left with just shrimp...no sauce (because everyone wanted more than their fair share of buttery yum on their pasta)?  Well, I had just such a case happen to me.  I had another unexpected leftover, too. Bacon.  When in the history of my family have we ever made too much bacon for breakfast???  So there I was; bacon and shrimp sitting forlornly in the fridge.  You can see where this is going, I am sure.  Yup.  The title gave it away.  Carbonara, a traditionally Italian dish based on pasta, eggs, black pepper, pecorino romano and fatty pork (in the USA that would be bacon).  Adding those shrimp and some cream made it truly delightful.  Yeah for leftovers made into new meals!!!

Shrimp Bacon Carbonara:

2 cups  shrimp, I chopped mine to go further

8 strips bacon, 

16 ounces pasta

1 onion, diced fine

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp olive oil (optional...see directions below)

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 Tbsp dried chervil or parsley (you could also use fresh)

2/3 cup cream, half & half or evaporated milk

4 eggs

2 cups freshly grated pecorino romano

Boil the pasta according to package directions.

Options: 

1. If you are starting from scratch, cook the bacon.  Drain all but 2 Tbsp of dripping.  Saute the onion and garlic in the dripping.  When they are almost done, add the shrimp, black pepper and chervil and cook until the shrimp turns pink.  In a small bowl, combine the eggs and cream.  Drain some of the pasta water into your big pasta bowl to warm it up.  Completely drain the pasta.  Empty the hot water out of the bowl and immediately pour in the egg and cream mixture.  Top with the pasta and toss vigorously.  Add the bacon/shrimp mixture and the pecorino and toss again. You may want to add a bit more pepper, too.

2. If you have some leftover bacon and already cooked shrimp, saute the onion and garlic in olive oil.  When they are done, add the bacon to soften.  At the same time, add the chervil and pepper.  Add the shrimp last and heat through.  Continue as directed above.